Wit and Wisdom of America's First Ladies

A Book of Quotations

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Pub Date Nov 19 2014 | Archive Date Dec 02 2014

Description

"The one thing I do not want," quipped Jacqueline Kennedy, "is to be called First Lady. It sounds like a saddle horse." This lively collection includes more than 350 revealing and thought-provoking remarks by White House wives, from Martha Washington ("I live a very dull life here, and know nothing that passes in town.") to Michelle Obama ("The only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them."). Humorous and heartfelt reflections include Abigail Adams's thoughts on partnership ("No man ever prospered in the world without the consent and cooperation of his wife."); Dolley Madison's attitude toward gossip ("It is one of my sources of happiness never to desire a knowledge of other people's business."); and Eleanor Roosevelt's comment on accountability ("It is often the people who refuse to assume any responsibility who are apt to be the sharpest critics of those who do.").

"The one thing I do not want," quipped Jacqueline Kennedy, "is to be called First Lady. It sounds like a saddle horse." This lively collection includes more than 350 revealing and thought-provoking...


Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9780486498874
PRICE $2.50 (USD)

Average rating from 12 members


Featured Reviews

Has interesting facts and quotations from the presidents' wives. It introduced some light on the wives that not is seen normally. The wives are usually overlooked. This is a refreshing change.

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A few years back, I got to go to the Smithsonian American History museum. One of the fascinating things I saw was a display of all the inaugural gowns worn by the first ladies. Due to the fragile nature of the fabric, the dresses were displayed on dress dummies in dim light and appeared to be floating in the dark. In the hushed room, a young boy loudly exclaimed, "Mama! They ain't got no heads!"

With a few exceptions, when we think of the first ladies, I'm not sure we credit them with the intelligence and stamina it surely takes to represent our country. 'Wit and Wisdom of America's First Ladies' sets out to change that over it's short length, and I believe it succeeds. Every woman who was a First Lady in the White House is given and introduction page and a series of quotes attributed to them. This is done in chronological order. You can see the types of things that occupied the First Lady's mind during that time. War, poverty, assassination, illiteracy, and the environment are just a few of the topics that show up in this book.

I enjoyed it immensely. We hear more about the Presidents than their wives, but I was engaged through this entire book. I really liked this chance to get to meet these ladies.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Dover Publications and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this interesting ebook.

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